Ranchiites plan to give Rakhi a drop this year

Ranchi: Like other festivals, Rakshabandhan too this year is expected to witness a paradigm shift in the way it is celebrated, thanks to the outbreak of coronavirus.
While many are brainstorming on ways to deliver the “personal touch” through innovative virtual platforms to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, others are drifting away from the traditional rituals associated with the day.
Despite being busy on tours due to official purposes, 30-year-old medical representative Anil Kumar never missed visiting his elder sister’s house in Jamshedpur on Rakhi. But this year, he is forced to give it a miss because of a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in his sister’s locality in Kadma. “My sister has two little kids and my visit may increase the risk of them contracting the virus,” Kuman said.
Kumar, however, revealed that he is preparing a few video capsules chronicling the journey of the two siblings as a Rakhi gift. “I shall be posting a series of videos to express my gratitude towards my sister on the day of Rakhi,” he said.
Even many living in the same city are wary of the situation and are planning to cancel the rituals associated with the festive. For Kusum Vihar-based businessman Brajesh Mishra, Rakhi has always been an occasion of lavish celebrations at his sprawling bungalow on road number 4 where people of different generations of his extended family bond together every year.
His area, however, has witnessed close to half a dozen Covid-19 cases in last one month, making it unsafe for him to hold the celebrations this year.
“While the celebrations will certainly not take place for the first time in many decades at our ancestral house this time, I am not sure if my sisters will be able to come here this time to tie Rakhi,” said Mishra, adding that within his own family, his two sons will be bereft of their lone sister this year.
“My daughter lives in Patna and even if she chooses to just come for a day, the 14-day mandatory quarantine rule will prove to be a deterrent,” he said, adding that they will be catching up over video calls to wish each other.
Many are even apprehensive of buying sweets from the markets fearing infection, paving way for a high demand for dry fruits, cookies and chocolates as replacements, said sweet shop owners. Vishnu Verma of Verma Sweets at Tagore Hill Road said, “Unlike earlier, we hardly received any bulk order this time. People are more inclined towards packaged pedas, dry fruits, cookies and chocolates sweets, fearing infection.”